Shadow of a Doubt Week 6 – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea: While some wait for MORE, let us MASTER what’s in our hands.
Discussion Starter: How do you manage your household budget?
Introduction: This week, Pastor walked us through the importance of managing the money we have and how budgeting is simple math. A budget is a detailed plan to allocate every cent of your money. It reflects your values, reveals your goals, and helps make hard decisions for you. After-all, Self-Control is a fruit of Spirit! The enemy tries to convince us to outspend ourselves right into debt, living paycheck to paycheck. However, believers can master money and not be its slave!
Pastor challenged us to: Courageously evaluate our financial situation, review our income and spending, and decide whether it is mandatory or discretionary. In order to participate in Supernatural Stewardship, we must spend wisely, save diligently, and give generously.
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: John 10:10
Discussion Questions:
- Read John 10:10. Discuss what you think the abundant life means. How are you living that life now? What is an area that God may be calling you to give up, to free yourself from the constraints of this world and step into the life to which Jesus calls us?
- Read Luke 14:28-33. Jesus spoke practically about the importance of budgeting, but this lesson pointed us to the cost of following Jesus. What does it take to follow Jesus? How do we apply this principle to our approach with money?
- Read Proverbs 3:9-10. How can you honor the Lord with your wealth? What does the “first of your produce(first fruits)” mean? How can that look in a person’s life today? Discuss the principle, “So your barns will be filled with plenty.”
- Read Proverbs 6:6-8. What point is Solomon making here? How can you use these verses to impart wisdom to those you influence? (children, grandchildren, young co-workers, etc).
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Luke 14:28-33 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.
This week, our focus was on getting our financial household in order so that money can serve us so we can better honor and serve the Lord. Discuss financial areas where you need better self-control. Come up with some practical steps you can take to achieve your goal. Pray together over this.
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: Our church family has many needs, some of which are financial. Consider reviewing the published Faith Promise financial reports from the last 3 years (go to: faithpromise.org/give). Pray as a group to explore ways to offer your money in faith and submission as God calls you to provide for our church family.
Engaging in Community / the World: God called each of us out of our life of sin to a life of freedom found only in His Son, Jesus Christ. How will you generously share your financial resources so that the Good News of Jesus Christ is shared with this hurting and dying world? Step out in faith to provide the only lasting source of hope and freedom!
Expand God’s Kingdom
Generosity is more than tithing and more than just money. A stingy person can give ten percent. The point is not for us to be legalistic and calculate to the penny ten percent to give back to God – it is a matter of the heart! As Christ followers, we are called to be generous! Giving sacrificially isn’t just about finances, it is also about giving of our time and possessions. How will you prayerfully consider your resources and how best to use them to further the Kingdom of God? Keep in mind that our Savior, Lord, and greatest treasure demonstrated the ultimate act of generosity in coming to rescue us.
Leader’s Notes
- Answers may include a life full of stamina, energy, ability to do things, enjoyment, satisfaction and contentment in Jesus.
- Giving up everything!
- It is His money to begin with, and we are called to be good stewards of it. It’s all from Him, it’s all about it Him, and it’s all for Him.
- By demonstrating gratitude toward and confidence in God (rather than in wealth). Also, by giving back to God some of your wealth as a sacrifice in recognition that God gave it to you in the first place.
- It is giving God our first and best. If we will truly honor the Lord with our giving, it won’t be with the last and leftovers.
- God is the master and distributor of unlimited resources. He knows how to prosper and take care of those who honor Him with the resources He has given to them.
- These verses speak about the value of hard work. The difference between success and failure, potential disappointment or fulfillment, is often hard work.
ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.
– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.
– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.
– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
